Educational Philosophy

It is the mission of Norfolk Christian Schools to equip students spiritually, intellectually, and physically to love God and to serve Him as Christ’s ambassadors in the world.

Mission Statement

The educational philosophy of Norfolk Christian Schools is based upon a God-centered view of truth and man as presented in the Bible. Since God created and sustains all things through His Son, Jesus Christ, the universe and all life are dynamically related to God and have the purpose of glorifying Him (Col. 1:15-17). This is pointedly true of man who was made in God's image, different in kind from all other creation, with the unique capacity to know and respond to God personally and voluntarily (Gen. 1:27-28). Because man is a sinner by nature and choice however, he cannot, in this condition, know or honor God in his life (Rom. 3:10-12). He can do this only by being born again through receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and thus be enabled to do God's will, which is the ultimate purpose of each person’s life (Rom. 12:1-2).

The entire process of education is seen as a means used by the Holy Spirit to bring the student into fellowship with God, to develop a Christian mind in him and to train him in godly living so that he can fulfill God's total purpose for his life personally and vocationally (II Tim. 3:16-17). He must be taught the Bible so he may understand God as well as his own nature and role as God's image bearer; he must be developed and related to God as a whole person, spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially; he must learn to see all truth as God's truth and to integrate it with and interpret it by God's Word; he must be educated as an individual with his own unique abilities and personality who must learn to live and work with others at home, in the church and in a changing secular society; and he must interact with and be taught by parent and teacher models who are, themselves, born again and have this perspective on life (Eph. 4:11-13).

The authority for such an education comes both from God's command that children be taught to love God and place Him first in their lives and from the fact that parents are responsible for the total education and training of their children. At the parents' request, the Christian school, along with the church, becomes a partner in giving this education (Deut. 6:5-7).

From this philosophy stem certain aims and objectives:

For the student's academic development, the school endeavors to promote high academic standards within the potential of the individual as uniquely created by God and to help the student realize his full potential.

to educate the student according to his developmental needs.

to help each student gain a thorough comprehension and command of the fundamental processes used in communicating and dealing with others, such as reading, writing, speaking, listening and mathematics.

to teach and encourage the use of good study habits.

to teach the student how to do independent research and use reason logically.

to motivate the student to pursue independent study in areas of personal interest.

to develop creative and critical thinking and the proper use of Biblical criteria for evaluation.

to promote good citizenship through developing the understanding and appreciation of our Christian and American heritages of responsible freedom, human dignity and acceptance of authority.

For the student's spiritual and moral growth, the school seeks to teach the Bible as God's inspired, authoritative Word and to teach love and respect for it as our standard for living.

to teach the basic doctrines of the Bible.

to lead the student to a decision of confessing Christ as Savior and Lord.

to develop a desire to know, to love and to obey the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures.

to equip the student to carry out the will of God daily.

to impart an understanding of each Christian's place in the church and its worldwide task of witness, evangelism and discipline, and to stimulate the student's involvement in this task.

to develop the mind of Christ toward godliness and sin, and to teach the students how to overcome sin.

to encourage the development of self-discipline and responsibility in the student based on respect for and submission to God and all other authority.

to help the student develop for himself a Christian world view by integrating life and studies with the Bible.

to encourage the student in personal Godly routines such as daily devotions and prayer.

For the student's personal and social development, the school aims

to help the student develop his personality based both on a proper understanding and acceptance of himself as a unique individual created in the image of God and on the fullest possible development of his own capabilities.

to teach the student to treat others with love and respect since they, too, are made in God's image.

to make the student a contributing member of his society who realizes his dependence on God and His call to serve others.

to promote an understanding that time is God-given and is

to be used effectively.

to show a realistic and Biblical view of life and work, and

to provide skills for personal relationships and future endeavors.

to develop both good and proper attitudes toward marriage and the family and to develop the knowledge and understanding needed to establish God-honoring homes.

to promote physical fitness, good health habits and wise use of the body as the temple of God.

to impart Biblical attitudes toward material things, and to >encourage individual responsibility in using all things for God's glory.

For the student's home, the school desires

to cooperate closely with the parents in every phase of the student's development, especially as it relates to the school program.

to help parents understand the school's purpose and program.

to aid families in Christian growth and to help them develop Christ-centered homes that reflect a Biblical philosophy.

to help parents become aware of our changing society, its effect on the home and school, and assist them in understanding the implications for their children.

to help families in "troubled homes" cope with the specific problems which have been created by the home situation.